Periscope



Jan. 18, 1927,

" J; GEARoN PERISGOPE I Filed Jan. 14; 1926 I abbcmmy Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES v A} 1,614,466 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN GEAROIT, OI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO MICHAEL V. GEARON AND ONE-FOURTH TO EDWARD GEARON, BOTH OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PEBISCOPE.

\ -App1ication filed January 14, 1926. Serial No. 81,276.

This invention relates to periscopes especially adapted for use in locomotive and other boilers for ascertaining the condition of the fire and fittings and other parts of the firebox, all without the necessity of opening the fire door.

A further object of the invention is to provide means in connection with the periscope whereby the firebox is divided 1nto a number of separate areas or divisions to permit the fireman or other attendant to ascertain at a glance just which portions, if any, of the fire are burning improperly.

A further and equally important ob ect of the invention is to provide a periscope of the character specified which is of highly simplified construction, easy to install and durable in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which l ke numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved periscope applied, parts of the periscope being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional v ew through a portion of the periscopeappl ed, the two extreme positions of a protecting sleeve or guard being shown in full and ing mirror 26 may be easlly seen through a dotted lines.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view through one branch of the periscope and associated elements.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective of the sighting tube and the means to chart or divide the firebox into a number of divisions or areas.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention the numeral 5 generally designates a boiler within which a firebox 6 of any preferred design is arranged and as shown in Figure 2 the firebox is provided with a grate 7 to support the fuel in place. a

As previously stated, the invention form ing the subject matter of this application is in the nature of a periscope and includes a tube 8 carried by one of the slides 9 at the front of the firebox. As shown in Figure 2 the slide which supports the tube 8 is provided with a heat insulating insert 10 and the lower portion of the tube carrying slide may be hinged so that the fire may be manually stoked in case the automatic stoker is out of repair. Figure 1 plainly illustrates that flanges 11 andl2 slidably support the sections 9.

Referring now to Figure 3 it will be seen that the inner portion of the tube '8 is provided' with a lens 14; arranged beneath a tilted mirror 15 so that the image of the fire below may be reflected through the mirror. The outer portion of the tube 8 l's provided with a second mirror 19 arranged in operative relation to the original reflecting mirror 15 so that the image of the fire is reflected a second time.

Considering Figure 1 it will be seen that an intermediate horizontal tube 20 extends at substantially right angles from the tube 8 and has a mirror 21 at one'end and tilted so that the image reflected through the mirror 19 will be reflected a third time by the mirror 21. Figure 1 further illustrates that an upright tube 23 is extended upwardly from one end of the intermediate tube 20 and has the upper portion thereof offset and provided with reflecting mirrors 25 and 26 by which the image of the fire and the interior of the firebox is reflected to a point where it may be conveniently seen by the fireman or other attendant.

Figure 4 illustrates that the final reflectc olored lens 27 divided by etching or other lines into a number of divisions or areas.

In the operation of the invention the attendant may View the image of the fire through the dial or window 27 and by the aid of the etching or other marks the operator may easily ascertain the particular portions, if any, of the fire which are burning improperly. When the condition of the fire has thus been ascertained the fire may be-stoked if necessary or a particular part of the fire may be stoked or otherwise treated to bring about uniform combustion and the eflicient operation of the boiler.

In carrying out the invention the innerportion of the tube 8 may as shown in Figure 3 be provided with a protecting sleeve 40, the inner portion of which is provided with a brush 41 adapted to wipe over the convex outer surface of the Windoyv 14 so as to remove any smoke, dirt, or soot which may have accumulated thereon. Of-course the tube 8 is extended beyond the original reflecting mirror 15 to provide a support for the protecting sleeve 40. The protecting sleeve 40 has connection with a link 44:, the outer portion of which is provided with an angular-1y extending slotted branch 46 to ll and to cause the brush L1 to wipe over the window 1 1 whereby the image of the fire and the fittings will be reflected to the series of mirrors as described. Particular attention is directed to the fact that the protecting sleeve 40 is of a heat resisting material and is normally held over the window 14 by a spring 50. Of course the tension of this spring is easily overcome by the operation of the lever 48.

With reference to the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing it will be seen that the improved periscope may be applied to a locomotive firebox either during course of manufacture or at any time thereafter without impairing the efficiency of the firebox and without a substantial expense.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. A periscope comprising a tubular member provided at a point spaced from the inner end thereof with a window, a sleeve mounted on said tube and having a cleaning clement adapted for engaging said window to remove soot from the same, and means connected to thesleeve for moving the same in operative relation to said window.

2. A. periscope for use in fireboxes comprising a tube provided at a point spaced from the inner end thereof with a window, a cleaning element for said window, there being means whereby the cleaning element may be operated from the exterior of the firebox, a mirror, arranged adjacent the window to reflect the image of the interior of the firebox, a second mirror arranged at the outer portion of the tube, an intermediate tube having connection with the first named tube and having a mirror arranged in operative relation to the second named mirror, an upright tube having connection with said intermediate tube, the upper portion of the upright tube being provided with an offset portion and with a plurality of reflecting mirrors arranged in operative relation to the other tubes whereby the image of the interior of the firebox may be viewed, and a window affording a view of one of the mirrors and having means to divide the firebox into a number of divisions.

3. A periscope for locomotive fire-boxes con'iprising a tube having a window provided with a convex outer surface, a mirror arranged within said tube adjacent said 'w'ur dow, a protecting sleeve over said tube and having a brush to wipe over the convex outer surface of said window to clean the same, a link connected to said sleeve, and a lever having connection with said link.

4. A periscope for locomotive fireboxes comprising a tube having a window provided with a convex outer surface, a mirror arranged within said tube adjacent said window, a protecting sleeve over said tube and having a brush to wipe over the convex outer surface of said window to clean the same, a link connected to said sleeve, a lever having connection with said link, and a spring connected to said link and normally holding said sleeve over said window.

5. A periscope for locomotive fireboxes comprising a'tube-having a window provided with a convex outer surface, a mirror arranged within said tube adjacent said window, a protecting sleeve over said tube and having a brush to wipe over the convex outer surface of said window to clean the same. a link connected to said sleeve, a lever having connection with said link, a spring connected to said link and normally holding said sleeve over said window, an intermediate tube connected to said first named tube, an upright connected to said intermediate tube, and reflecting mirrors in said tubes.

6. A periscope for locomotive fireboxes comprising a tube having a window provided with a convex outer surface, a mirror arranged within said tube adjacent said window, a protecting sleeve over said tube and having a brush to wipe over the convex out er surface of said window to clean the same, a link connected to said sleeve, a lever having connection with said link, a spring connected to said link and normally holding said sleeve over said window, an intermediate tube connected to said first named tube, an upright connected to said intermediate tube, and reflecting mirrors in said tubes. and a window carried by said last named tube and affording a view of one of said mirrors, said window being provided with intersecting lines dividing the interior of the firebox into a number of separate areas.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN GEARON.

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